NHS Primary Care Bulletin - Issue 369

Overview of NHS England Primary Care Bulletin for 11 December 2025

This article summarises the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin for 11 December 2025, the weekly email update for teams in general practice, dentistry, community pharmacy, and optometry.

This week's bulletin highlights various key updates, including the ongoing flu vaccination efforts, the launch of a public awareness campaign about NHS services, and details concerning the new pilot training pathway for Early Career Pharmacist prescribers. Each section addresses developments pertinent to general practice, dentistry, community pharmacy, and optometry.

Mise à jour sur les soins primaires

Flu update

NHS England thanks primary care teams for their relentless efforts in delivering winter vaccinations amidst unprecedented flu pressures this season. Hospital admissions for flu are at record levels, making the work of GP practices and pharmacies increasingly crucial for safeguarding public health. Vaccines are still available, and practices are encouraged to order promptly. Key ordering information includes:

• Sanofi TIV-HD - Order via VaxiShop or call 0800 854430.

• CSL Seqirus – aTIV and TIVc - Order via flu360.co.uk, minimum order of 20 doses.

Early antiviral prescriptions such as Tamiflu for high-risk patients are recommended to mitigate complications from flu.

New campaign launched to raise awareness of NHS services

A new public awareness campaign has been launched to enhance understanding of various NHS services available this winter. The campaign, featuring a film titled '24 hours NOT in A&E', focuses on promoting pharmacy, NHS 111, the NHS App, and general practice. Primary care teams are encouraged to share these resources through their public channels.

Update on actions to prevent sexual misconduct in the NHS

NHS England sent a letter to trusts and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) detailing new actions to combat sexual misconduct in NHS settings. Primary care providers must sign up to the 10 principles outlined in the Sexual Safety Charter, alongside completing a self-assurance checklist. This initiative aims to align all providers with a uniform standard of commitment to safety in care settings. Supporting documents are available on improving chaperoning guidance and a downloadable checklist.

Estates and Neighbourhood Health: Community of Practice for Neighbourhood Health

Those engaged in neighbourhood health are invited to join a Community of Practice, with an upcoming webinar on 16 December from 10 am to 11:30 am. The focus will be on how estates can support the development of neighbourhood health services, discussing national strategic outlook and sharing experiences from successful implementations. To attend, book a spot via MS Teams.

Register your interest for the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson programme

An opportunity for primary care professionals to participate in the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson programme—a partially funded, 24-month master’s degree in Healthcare Leadership—is now available. Interested individuals should register by 26 December, as the application may close earlier if capacity is reached. Registration process details will be communicated soon. Interested colleagues are encouraged to discuss this with their managers. Complete the registration form here.

Updates for general practice

Continued use of Menitorix

Updates to the national child immunisation schedule state that children turning 12 months on or before 30 June 2025 should continue receiving Menitorix until supplies are depleted. Following this, hexavalent vaccines will be introduced for children who are 12 months on or after 1 July 2025.

NHS App: First Messaging case studies and webinar

NHS England prioritises digital-first communications, planning to send all appropriate messages to patients through the NHS App. A webinar on 20 January will cover recent developments, including linked accounts and improvements to GP appointment booking in the NHS App. Register for the webinar via NHS England's website.

New and updated Technology Innovation Framework information

Updates to the Technology Innovation Framework webpage include details on supplier and clinical assurance processes intended to streamline data migrations from one GP system to another. NHS England aims to standardise an accelerated data migration process by 2027. For further information, contact gpit.techinnovation@nhs.net.

Learning sessions: Delivering the People Promise in general practice

Learning sessions have been scheduled to explore how to implement the NHS People Promise in general practice. Each session will focus on different themes with practical advice and tools provided. Upcoming sessions include:

• 14 January 2026: General Practice Staff Survey Learning Session.

• 22 January 2026: GP Developing Case Studies Session.

Updates for dentistry

Système d'incitation aux soins dentaires urgents

NHS England has extended the sign-up deadline for the urgent dental care incentive scheme until 19 December, lifting the cap on incentive payments. The scheme aims to incentivise dental providers to deliver unscheduled care to patients until 31 March 2026. Further details can be found in the update letter.

Updates for community pharmacy

Shape the new pilot training pathway for Early Career Pharmacist prescribers 2026-27

From 2026, NHS England will pilot an education and training pathway for Early Career Pharmacist prescribers. Participation from employers, supervisors, and educational institutions is encouraged to help align the pathway with service priorities. Interested parties should complete this registration form by 8 January 2026.

Teach and Treat 2025-26 - Driving pharmacy transformation

The Teach and Treat programme for 2025-26 addresses workforce challenges by providing supervised clinical training for community pharmacists, thereby improving patient access and easing NHS pressures. More details are available on NHS England's website.

Updates for optometry

NHS general ophthalmic service fees and payments from April 2025

The Department for Health and Social Care has published a letter outlining general ophthalmic service fees and payments effective from 1 April 2025. Further information is presented in the letter regarding optical voucher values and hospital eye service charges from the same date.

Additional resources and events

Getting the most out of the BMJ Best Practice app

The BMJ Best Practice app is available for NHS staff in England, providing essential evidence-based clinical information. Users can log in with their free NHS OpenAthens account.

Key topics frequently accessed during winter include:

• Influenza infection

• Rhume ordinaire

• Respiratory syncytial virus infection

• Community acquired pneumonia

• Acute exacerbation of COPD

Access recordings from recent webinars, including one on heart failure, through the provided links.

Communication between services and patients: share your views

Efforts are underway to enhance patient access to reasonable adjustment information through the NHS App. General practice staff who assist patients in this area are invited to share their insights in a one-to-one chat; interested individuals should fill out this form by 12 December. Additionally, feedback regarding inclusive communication within NHS services is also sought through a short survey available here until 18 December.

NHS ConfedExpo 2026: Registration is open

NHS ConfedExpo is inviting ideas from primary care organisations that drive positive change for patients. The submission portal remains open until 23 January 2026. Learn more about the submission process or book your place today for a free ticket.

Prochains webinaires et événements

• 11 am – 1 pm, 16 December: NASP webinar on social prescribing and neighbourhood health

• 1:30 pm - 3 pm, 16 December: Make Every Contact Count (MECC) webinar

• 12 pm - 1 pm, 14 January: General Practice Staff Survey Learning Session

• 12 pm - 1 pm, 22 January: GP Developing Case Studies Session

• 10-11 June: ConfedExpo

Fermeture

Le contenu de cet article est tiré du NHS England Primary Care Bulletin. Patient.info édite et met en forme les mises à jour afin de fournir des archives claires et accessibles aux professionnels. Pour consulter l'e-mail original, cliquez ici.